For the second consecutive year, the bowl was played between the Alcorn State Braves and the North Carolina A&T Aggies.

Alcorn State earned their berth in the Celebration Bowl via a win over the Southern Jaguars in the SWAC Championship Game on December 7.

North Carolina A&T, led by second-year head coach Sam Washington, clinched their spot in the Celebration bowl on November 23 with their win over North Carolina Central.

They finished runner-up in the MEAC behind Florida A&M, who were ineligible for postseason play due to NCAA sanctions.

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium • Atlanta, Georgia Pound sign (#) denotes national championship game.